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Heidelberg

KENNESAW, GA, April 5, 2021 (Press Release) -The North American division of Kumon, a structured, self-learning program with educational centers located worldwide, was in need of a better solution for printing the carefully designed worksheets that make its educational model so successful. After exhaustive exploration of many press providers, Kumon made the decision to purchase the Speedmaster XL 106-9P with Push-to-Stop technology, its first ever Heidelberg investment, along with running the new press exclusively with Heidelberg’s Saphira Consumables.

Productivity Gains, Cost Savings

Printing nearly 100 million worksheets in 2019, Kumon needed to add to its existing fleet of offset presses to keep up with the demand at its Hebron, Kentucky plant. Despite having never purchased from Heidelberg in the past, Kumon selected the Speedmaster XL 106 for several key factors that made it stand out among the competition: press speed, advanced press technology & automation, Heidelberg’s vast service network, and the quick availability of parts and consumables.

“We’re able to consistently run the press at top speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour, which is significantly faster than our other two machines. This press is far more advanced than anything we’ve run before. The consistency of it is outstanding, especially since we typically run thinner, uncoated stocks,” said Tom Mock, Operations Manager for Kumon.

In addition to faster speeds, Mock credits the advanced Push-to-Stop technology on the machine for increasing the overall throughput and productivity of the plant. With AutoPlate Pro, a fully automatic plate change system, and program-controlled blanket wash-up devices for the blanket and impression cylinders, makeready times in between jobs have been cut in half versus its previous press. Due to the drastic productivity improvements, Mock says that Kumon has moved nearly 40% of the plant’s total print volume off its other two presses and onto the XL 106. These productivity gains have enabled Kumon to cut its production from a three-shift model to a two-shift model, which has resulted in plantwide cost savings. Additionally, Kumon is saving about 15% on converting costs from its paper vendors thanks to the addition of CutStar, Heidelberg’s inline roll-to-sheet device.

The Right Decision for Kumon

To achieve such drastic productivity improvements, Kumon needed to be able to continuously run the press at top speeds. Exclusively using Heidelberg Saphira Consumables, which includes everything from ink to blankets to plates and fountain solution, ensures the reliability and quality that Kumon requires from a high output press. In addition to the quality of the products, Mock is very pleased with being able to order his press supplies and wear-and-tear parts online from Heidelberg’s eShop. “It’s so convenient and easy plus most of the products arrive within a day. It’s great,” said Mock. While currently only running Saphira products on its XL 106, Kumon does intend to start testing the products on its other two presses as well.

For Kumon, the Heidelberg “experience” does not end with the press and its supplies. Mock cites the installation and training from Heidelberg’s experienced team of SystemService representatives as “second to none.” Despite the large technology leap from their current presses to the new XL 106, the press operators at Kumon were able to quickly learn the new technology and are excited about running the press. According to Mock, “During our press search, we knew that Heidelberg would be the right fit for us. Now having experience with the product and the service, we know we made the right decision.”

About Kumon North America

Kumon started in 1954 Japan when Toru Kumon helped his young son learn calculus by sixth grade. Through his unique teaching method of short, incremental assignments, other parents took notice and began teaching Kumon’s unique step-by-step learning method. Instead of taking notes, memorizing facts, and being fed information from teachers or a tutor, children actively develop critical, self-learning skills through carefully designed worksheets. In 1974, the first Kumon Math Center opened in the United States. Today, Kumon has established itself as a provider of quality education for millions of local children through local instructors in over 50 countries around the world.

Heidelberg to supply its new Speedmaster XL 106 and full suite of Saphira Consumables to US-based Kumon's plant in Hebron, KY

Posted in: Mills 04/05/2021 - 13:11

KENNESAW, GA, April 5, 2021 (Press Release) -The North American division of Kumon, a structured, self-learning program with educational centers located worldwide, was in need of a better solution for printing the carefully designed worksheets that make its educational model so successful. After exhaustive exploration of many press providers, Kumon made the decision to purchase the Speedmaster XL 106-9P with Push-to-Stop technology, its first ever Heidelberg investment, along with running the new press exclusively with Heidelberg’s Saphira Consumables.

Productivity Gains, Cost Savings

Printing nearly 100 million worksheets in 2019, Kumon needed to add to its existing fleet of offset presses to keep up with the demand at its Hebron, Kentucky plant. Despite having never purchased from Heidelberg in the past, Kumon selected the Speedmaster XL 106 for several key factors that made it stand out among the competition: press speed, advanced press technology & automation, Heidelberg’s vast service network, and the quick availability of parts and consumables.

“We’re able to consistently run the press at top speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour, which is significantly faster than our other two machines. This press is far more advanced than anything we’ve run before. The consistency of it is outstanding, especially since we typically run thinner, uncoated stocks,” said Tom Mock, Operations Manager for Kumon.

In addition to faster speeds, Mock credits the advanced Push-to-Stop technology on the machine for increasing the overall throughput and productivity of the plant. With AutoPlate Pro, a fully automatic plate change system, and program-controlled blanket wash-up devices for the blanket and impression cylinders, makeready times in between jobs have been cut in half versus its previous press. Due to the drastic productivity improvements, Mock says that Kumon has moved nearly 40% of the plant’s total print volume off its other two presses and onto the XL 106. These productivity gains have enabled Kumon to cut its production from a three-shift model to a two-shift model, which has resulted in plantwide cost savings. Additionally, Kumon is saving about 15% on converting costs from its paper vendors thanks to the addition of CutStar, Heidelberg’s inline roll-to-sheet device.

The Right Decision for Kumon

To achieve such drastic productivity improvements, Kumon needed to be able to continuously run the press at top speeds. Exclusively using Heidelberg Saphira Consumables, which includes everything from ink to blankets to plates and fountain solution, ensures the reliability and quality that Kumon requires from a high output press. In addition to the quality of the products, Mock is very pleased with being able to order his press supplies and wear-and-tear parts online from Heidelberg’s eShop. “It’s so convenient and easy plus most of the products arrive within a day. It’s great,” said Mock. While currently only running Saphira products on its XL 106, Kumon does intend to start testing the products on its other two presses as well.

For Kumon, the Heidelberg “experience” does not end with the press and its supplies. Mock cites the installation and training from Heidelberg’s experienced team of SystemService representatives as “second to none.” Despite the large technology leap from their current presses to the new XL 106, the press operators at Kumon were able to quickly learn the new technology and are excited about running the press. According to Mock, “During our press search, we knew that Heidelberg would be the right fit for us. Now having experience with the product and the service, we know we made the right decision.”

About Kumon North America

Kumon started in 1954 Japan when Toru Kumon helped his young son learn calculus by sixth grade. Through his unique teaching method of short, incremental assignments, other parents took notice and began teaching Kumon’s unique step-by-step learning method. Instead of taking notes, memorizing facts, and being fed information from teachers or a tutor, children actively develop critical, self-learning skills through carefully designed worksheets. In 1974, the first Kumon Math Center opened in the United States. Today, Kumon has established itself as a provider of quality education for millions of local children through local instructors in over 50 countries around the world.

Read more
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , March 17, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • Digitized procurement of consumables and paper at the latest prices
  • For the first time, print shops can access the portfolios of participating suppliers directly from their MIS
  • Zaikio Procurement free of charge to print shops
  • Heidelberg reaches a further milestone on its way to becoming a platform provider

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is offering all print shops free access to the Zaikio Procurement industry platform with immediate effect – a further milestone on its way to becoming the printing industry’s leading platform provider. Zaikio networks print shops’ IT systems with those of their suppliers, which enables print service providers to establish an automatic link with these suppliers. Following a successful test phase with selected print shops and suppliers, all print service providers who wish to do so can now register on the Zaikio platform free of charge. They will then have direct, automatic access from their management information system (MIS) to the portfolios of the suppliers already linked to Zaikio and can place orders at the latest prices with just a few clicks. Following approval by procurement staff, the orders are transferred directly into the relevant supplier’s ERP system, which reciprocates by providing the print shop’s ordering system with information about availability and delivery options. This process lays the foundation for fully automatic orders based on various factors – from the current paper or ink consumption to stock levels. It also optimizes the digital procurement processes of print shops and suppliers alike.

“With Zaikio, Heidelberg is gradually establishing an industry platform that is open to all companies, digitizes and automates numerous value-adding processes between participants, and makes these operations transparent,” explains Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer. “By making overall processes and collaboration in the printing industry far simpler, Zaikio is boosting the competitiveness of everyone involved,” he adds.

Zaikio networks big-name MIS providers with established suppliers

Prior to the launch of the Zaikio Procurement platform, Zaikio already had some well-known MIS providers on board. Alongside Heidelberg with its Prinect Business Manager, the other participating MIS providers are Printplus, Printvis, Datamedia, Utraxx, Keyline, and EPMS – and Zaikio is currently in talks with many others. In the future, this means print shops will be able to access the ranges of suppliers such as Sappi or Metapaper and place orders directly from their MIS, once it has been networked with Zaikio.

Zaikio Procurement costs print shops absolutely nothing. Zaikio’s business model is based on its relationship with the supplier – the print shop has no monetary involvement whatsoever. Activating Zaikio Procurement in a print shop’s MIS is quick and easy, too.

“There are solutions on the market that already promise orders can be placed directly from an MIS. On closer inspection, however, it often turns out that all these solutions are doing is sending e-mails to the suppliers,” says Matthias Prinz, Managing Director and Head of User Experience at Zaikio GmbH. “With Zaikio, print service providers can now access the portfolios of a growing number of suppliers direct from their MIS in an automated process, which means they benefit from maximum transparency and needs-based supplies. It goes without saying that this also works to the advantage of MIS providers and suppliers, who can massively improve their level of service,” he explains.

Zaikio Procurement is just the first step

Zaikio’s vision is to network all relevant printing industry systems to enable quick and easy data communication. Using Zaikio Procurement to digitize the procurement process between print shops and their suppliers was just the first step. In the foreseeable future, Zaikio will be using Web2Print solutions, workflow tools, and the further involvement of partners to fully digitize and link other key processes between printing industry players.

About Zaikio

Around a year after the takeover of cloud software business Crispy Mountain by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, the company launched Zaikio – a new open and independent cloud-based collaboration platform for the printing industry – in the summer of 2020. Zaikio unites all industry players on a single platform. The free Zaikio Account enables each and every user to log into all connected software systems with a single login. The aim is straightforward, standardized data exchange between software, hardware, and the partners involved on the basis of end-to-end automated process chains. So far, over 1,300 people have registered on the platform and set up their own personal Zaikio Account.

Heidelberg offers all print shops free access to Zaikio Procurement industry platform with immediate effect

Posted in: Mills 03/17/2021 - 13:10
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , March 17, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • Digitized procurement of consumables and paper at the latest prices
  • For the first time, print shops can access the portfolios of participating suppliers directly from their MIS
  • Zaikio Procurement free of charge to print shops
  • Heidelberg reaches a further milestone on its way to becoming a platform provider

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is offering all print shops free access to the Zaikio Procurement industry platform with immediate effect – a further milestone on its way to becoming the printing industry’s leading platform provider. Zaikio networks print shops’ IT systems with those of their suppliers, which enables print service providers to establish an automatic link with these suppliers. Following a successful test phase with selected print shops and suppliers, all print service providers who wish to do so can now register on the Zaikio platform free of charge. They will then have direct, automatic access from their management information system (MIS) to the portfolios of the suppliers already linked to Zaikio and can place orders at the latest prices with just a few clicks. Following approval by procurement staff, the orders are transferred directly into the relevant supplier’s ERP system, which reciprocates by providing the print shop’s ordering system with information about availability and delivery options. This process lays the foundation for fully automatic orders based on various factors – from the current paper or ink consumption to stock levels. It also optimizes the digital procurement processes of print shops and suppliers alike.

“With Zaikio, Heidelberg is gradually establishing an industry platform that is open to all companies, digitizes and automates numerous value-adding processes between participants, and makes these operations transparent,” explains Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer. “By making overall processes and collaboration in the printing industry far simpler, Zaikio is boosting the competitiveness of everyone involved,” he adds.

Zaikio networks big-name MIS providers with established suppliers

Prior to the launch of the Zaikio Procurement platform, Zaikio already had some well-known MIS providers on board. Alongside Heidelberg with its Prinect Business Manager, the other participating MIS providers are Printplus, Printvis, Datamedia, Utraxx, Keyline, and EPMS – and Zaikio is currently in talks with many others. In the future, this means print shops will be able to access the ranges of suppliers such as Sappi or Metapaper and place orders directly from their MIS, once it has been networked with Zaikio.

Zaikio Procurement costs print shops absolutely nothing. Zaikio’s business model is based on its relationship with the supplier – the print shop has no monetary involvement whatsoever. Activating Zaikio Procurement in a print shop’s MIS is quick and easy, too.

“There are solutions on the market that already promise orders can be placed directly from an MIS. On closer inspection, however, it often turns out that all these solutions are doing is sending e-mails to the suppliers,” says Matthias Prinz, Managing Director and Head of User Experience at Zaikio GmbH. “With Zaikio, print service providers can now access the portfolios of a growing number of suppliers direct from their MIS in an automated process, which means they benefit from maximum transparency and needs-based supplies. It goes without saying that this also works to the advantage of MIS providers and suppliers, who can massively improve their level of service,” he explains.

Zaikio Procurement is just the first step

Zaikio’s vision is to network all relevant printing industry systems to enable quick and easy data communication. Using Zaikio Procurement to digitize the procurement process between print shops and their suppliers was just the first step. In the foreseeable future, Zaikio will be using Web2Print solutions, workflow tools, and the further involvement of partners to fully digitize and link other key processes between printing industry players.

About Zaikio

Around a year after the takeover of cloud software business Crispy Mountain by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, the company launched Zaikio – a new open and independent cloud-based collaboration platform for the printing industry – in the summer of 2020. Zaikio unites all industry players on a single platform. The free Zaikio Account enables each and every user to log into all connected software systems with a single login. The aim is straightforward, standardized data exchange between software, hardware, and the partners involved on the basis of end-to-end automated process chains. So far, over 1,300 people have registered on the platform and set up their own personal Zaikio Account.

Read more
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , March 1, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity
  • Driving down costs with an eco-friendly printing process
  • Helping print shops with sustainability

In a recent study on life in Germany in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 75 percent of the people who were surveyed said that sustainability was the key to health and security. Two thirds claimed that, in the future, they would choose suppliers who treat solidarity, social commitment, and sustainability as priorities. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that print products will also enjoy greater acceptance if they are clearly identifiable as products that have been created on a sustainable basis. Furthermore, a growing number of print buyers are demanding that print service providers supply evidence of sustainability. For approximately ten years, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has been supplying the Saphira Eco product line to help with precisely this issue. The comprehensive range of especially environmentally friendly consumables includes chemical-free and processless printing plates, coatings, inks made from renewable raw materials, and chemicals that generate less waste. These materials enable users to achieve dependable, environmentally friendly print production that satisfies the highest quality standards. The Saphira Eco range is subject to the strictest criteria in the print media industry for demonstrating the environmental compatibility of consumables.

New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity

By realigning its portfolio around environmentally friendly Saphira Eco consumables, Heidelberg is making it easier for customers to pursue environmentally compatible production in line with their specific requirements. Additional focal points besides environmental concerns include the cost-effectiveness and productivity of the production process. For example, the environmentally friendly Saphira Eco inks are in the same price bracket as conventional standard inks but don’t require any additional outlay in terms of setup and achieve the same productivity standards.

“By using Saphira Eco products, print shops can organize their production operations on a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable basis,” explains Hans Huyghe, head of Product Management Consumables at Heidelberg. “Moreover, there is still far too little awareness that environmentally friendly consumables can help reduce costs by delivering a lower total cost of ownership – without compromising on productivity and quality. Heidelberg also assists all customers who are interested in switching to environmentally friendly print production.”

Processless and chemical-free printing plates for an environmentally friendly and stable production process

When using processless printing plates from the Saphira Eco portfolio, there is no need for a development process, which means plates can be used on the press immediately after imaging. In the case of chemical-free printing plates, the environmentally friendly clean-out solution takes the place of conventional developers and replenishers. Users benefit from savings in the form of reduced space requirements, chemical usage, disposal costs, and power and water consumption. When used with other approved consumables from Heidelberg, the company’s chemical-free or processless printing plates deliver a stable production process and sustained high productivity.

Saphira Eco coatings for virtually all application areas

Thanks to their excellent environmental friendliness, the coatings in the Saphira Eco portfolio are suitable for virtually all standard application areas. The portfolio includes, for example, Teflon-free and low-ammonia or ammonia-free coatings. This means Heidelberg can supply coatings that do not require any hazard labeling. By harnessing the consulting expertise that Heidelberg offers, print shops can find the ideal combination of coating and screen roller to reduce their coating consumption. For example, a specific screen will enable lower coating usage without impacting gloss levels, while combining this screen with a suitable coating plate will also help reduce cleaning intervals.

Environmentally friendly print production with Saphira Eco chemicals

Heidelberg offers a wide range of chemicals for especially environmentally friendly print production. For instance, the Saphira Eco portfolio includes VOC-free wash solutions. Combining the right wash program with the right wash solution helps to shorten the whole washing process while ensuring the results are always good. This means less wash solution is used, which generates less waste and results in lower waste costs.

In addition, Heidelberg offers environmentally friendly dampening solutions that don’t need to be changed in the dampening solution circuit as often and facilitate IPA-free or at least reduced-IPA printing – all without impacting productivity while also reducing paper waste. Heidelberg helps users make the switch to IPA-free print production.

Saphira Eco products assist with certification for sustainable print production

Using environmentally compatible consumables from the Saphira Eco portfolio makes it easier for print shops worldwide to obtain certification for sustainable print production in line with the applicable environmental standards. Depending on the type of certificate, Heidelberg helps its customers choose the best consumables to satisfy the certificate requirements.

Heidelberg introduces its new Saphira Eco environmentally friendly consumables for print production

Posted in: Environment 03/01/2021 - 11:30
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , March 1, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity
  • Driving down costs with an eco-friendly printing process
  • Helping print shops with sustainability

In a recent study on life in Germany in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 75 percent of the people who were surveyed said that sustainability was the key to health and security. Two thirds claimed that, in the future, they would choose suppliers who treat solidarity, social commitment, and sustainability as priorities. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that print products will also enjoy greater acceptance if they are clearly identifiable as products that have been created on a sustainable basis. Furthermore, a growing number of print buyers are demanding that print service providers supply evidence of sustainability. For approximately ten years, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has been supplying the Saphira Eco product line to help with precisely this issue. The comprehensive range of especially environmentally friendly consumables includes chemical-free and processless printing plates, coatings, inks made from renewable raw materials, and chemicals that generate less waste. These materials enable users to achieve dependable, environmentally friendly print production that satisfies the highest quality standards. The Saphira Eco range is subject to the strictest criteria in the print media industry for demonstrating the environmental compatibility of consumables.

New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity

By realigning its portfolio around environmentally friendly Saphira Eco consumables, Heidelberg is making it easier for customers to pursue environmentally compatible production in line with their specific requirements. Additional focal points besides environmental concerns include the cost-effectiveness and productivity of the production process. For example, the environmentally friendly Saphira Eco inks are in the same price bracket as conventional standard inks but don’t require any additional outlay in terms of setup and achieve the same productivity standards.

“By using Saphira Eco products, print shops can organize their production operations on a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable basis,” explains Hans Huyghe, head of Product Management Consumables at Heidelberg. “Moreover, there is still far too little awareness that environmentally friendly consumables can help reduce costs by delivering a lower total cost of ownership – without compromising on productivity and quality. Heidelberg also assists all customers who are interested in switching to environmentally friendly print production.”

Processless and chemical-free printing plates for an environmentally friendly and stable production process

When using processless printing plates from the Saphira Eco portfolio, there is no need for a development process, which means plates can be used on the press immediately after imaging. In the case of chemical-free printing plates, the environmentally friendly clean-out solution takes the place of conventional developers and replenishers. Users benefit from savings in the form of reduced space requirements, chemical usage, disposal costs, and power and water consumption. When used with other approved consumables from Heidelberg, the company’s chemical-free or processless printing plates deliver a stable production process and sustained high productivity.

Saphira Eco coatings for virtually all application areas

Thanks to their excellent environmental friendliness, the coatings in the Saphira Eco portfolio are suitable for virtually all standard application areas. The portfolio includes, for example, Teflon-free and low-ammonia or ammonia-free coatings. This means Heidelberg can supply coatings that do not require any hazard labeling. By harnessing the consulting expertise that Heidelberg offers, print shops can find the ideal combination of coating and screen roller to reduce their coating consumption. For example, a specific screen will enable lower coating usage without impacting gloss levels, while combining this screen with a suitable coating plate will also help reduce cleaning intervals.

Environmentally friendly print production with Saphira Eco chemicals

Heidelberg offers a wide range of chemicals for especially environmentally friendly print production. For instance, the Saphira Eco portfolio includes VOC-free wash solutions. Combining the right wash program with the right wash solution helps to shorten the whole washing process while ensuring the results are always good. This means less wash solution is used, which generates less waste and results in lower waste costs.

In addition, Heidelberg offers environmentally friendly dampening solutions that don’t need to be changed in the dampening solution circuit as often and facilitate IPA-free or at least reduced-IPA printing – all without impacting productivity while also reducing paper waste. Heidelberg helps users make the switch to IPA-free print production.

Saphira Eco products assist with certification for sustainable print production

Using environmentally compatible consumables from the Saphira Eco portfolio makes it easier for print shops worldwide to obtain certification for sustainable print production in line with the applicable environmental standards. Depending on the type of certificate, Heidelberg helps its customers choose the best consumables to satisfy the certificate requirements.

Read more
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , March 1, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity
  • Driving down costs with an eco-friendly printing process
  • Helping print shops with sustainability

In a recent study on life in Germany in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 75 percent of the people who were surveyed said that sustainability was the key to health and security. Two thirds claimed that, in the future, they would choose suppliers who treat solidarity, social commitment, and sustainability as priorities. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that print products will also enjoy greater acceptance if they are clearly identifiable as products that have been created on a sustainable basis. Furthermore, a growing number of print buyers are demanding that print service providers supply evidence of sustainability. For approximately ten years, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has been supplying the Saphira Eco product line to help with precisely this issue. The comprehensive range of especially environmentally friendly consumables includes chemical-free and processless printing plates, coatings, inks made from renewable raw materials, and chemicals that generate less waste. These materials enable users to achieve dependable, environmentally friendly print production that satisfies the highest quality standards. The Saphira Eco range is subject to the strictest criteria in the print media industry for demonstrating the environmental compatibility of consumables.

New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity

By realigning its portfolio around environmentally friendly Saphira Eco consumables, Heidelberg is making it easier for customers to pursue environmentally compatible production in line with their specific requirements. Additional focal points besides environmental concerns include the cost-effectiveness and productivity of the production process. For example, the environmentally friendly Saphira Eco inks are in the same price bracket as conventional standard inks but don’t require any additional outlay in terms of setup and achieve the same productivity standards.

“By using Saphira Eco products, print shops can organize their production operations on a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable basis,” explains Hans Huyghe, head of Product Management Consumables at Heidelberg. “Moreover, there is still far too little awareness that environmentally friendly consumables can help reduce costs by delivering a lower total cost of ownership – without compromising on productivity and quality. Heidelberg also assists all customers who are interested in switching to environmentally friendly print production.”

Processless and chemical-free printing plates for an environmentally friendly and stable production process

When using processless printing plates from the Saphira Eco portfolio, there is no need for a development process, which means plates can be used on the press immediately after imaging. In the case of chemical-free printing plates, the environmentally friendly clean-out solution takes the place of conventional developers and replenishers. Users benefit from savings in the form of reduced space requirements, chemical usage, disposal costs, and power and water consumption. When used with other approved consumables from Heidelberg, the company’s chemical-free or processless printing plates deliver a stable production process and sustained high productivity.

Saphira Eco coatings for virtually all application areas

Thanks to their excellent environmental friendliness, the coatings in the Saphira Eco portfolio are suitable for virtually all standard application areas. The portfolio includes, for example, Teflon-free and low-ammonia or ammonia-free coatings. This means Heidelberg can supply coatings that do not require any hazard labeling. By harnessing the consulting expertise that Heidelberg offers, print shops can find the ideal combination of coating and screen roller to reduce their coating consumption. For example, a specific screen will enable lower coating usage without impacting gloss levels, while combining this screen with a suitable coating plate will also help reduce cleaning intervals.

Environmentally friendly print production with Saphira Eco chemicals

Heidelberg offers a wide range of chemicals for especially environmentally friendly print production. For instance, the Saphira Eco portfolio includes VOC-free wash solutions. Combining the right wash program with the right wash solution helps to shorten the whole washing process while ensuring the results are always good. This means less wash solution is used, which generates less waste and results in lower waste costs.

In addition, Heidelberg offers environmentally friendly dampening solutions that don’t need to be changed in the dampening solution circuit as often and facilitate IPA-free or at least reduced-IPA printing – all without impacting productivity while also reducing paper waste. Heidelberg helps users make the switch to IPA-free print production.

Saphira Eco products assist with certification for sustainable print production

Using environmentally compatible consumables from the Saphira Eco portfolio makes it easier for print shops worldwide to obtain certification for sustainable print production in line with the applicable environmental standards. Depending on the type of certificate, Heidelberg helps its customers choose the best consumables to satisfy the certificate requirements.

Heidelberg introduces its new Saphira Eco environmentally friendly consumables for print production

Posted in: Chemicals 03/01/2021 - 11:30
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , March 1, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity
  • Driving down costs with an eco-friendly printing process
  • Helping print shops with sustainability

In a recent study on life in Germany in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 75 percent of the people who were surveyed said that sustainability was the key to health and security. Two thirds claimed that, in the future, they would choose suppliers who treat solidarity, social commitment, and sustainability as priorities. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that print products will also enjoy greater acceptance if they are clearly identifiable as products that have been created on a sustainable basis. Furthermore, a growing number of print buyers are demanding that print service providers supply evidence of sustainability. For approximately ten years, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has been supplying the Saphira Eco product line to help with precisely this issue. The comprehensive range of especially environmentally friendly consumables includes chemical-free and processless printing plates, coatings, inks made from renewable raw materials, and chemicals that generate less waste. These materials enable users to achieve dependable, environmentally friendly print production that satisfies the highest quality standards. The Saphira Eco range is subject to the strictest criteria in the print media industry for demonstrating the environmental compatibility of consumables.

New Saphira Eco portfolio focuses on environmental friendliness, cost-efficiency, and productivity

By realigning its portfolio around environmentally friendly Saphira Eco consumables, Heidelberg is making it easier for customers to pursue environmentally compatible production in line with their specific requirements. Additional focal points besides environmental concerns include the cost-effectiveness and productivity of the production process. For example, the environmentally friendly Saphira Eco inks are in the same price bracket as conventional standard inks but don’t require any additional outlay in terms of setup and achieve the same productivity standards.

“By using Saphira Eco products, print shops can organize their production operations on a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable basis,” explains Hans Huyghe, head of Product Management Consumables at Heidelberg. “Moreover, there is still far too little awareness that environmentally friendly consumables can help reduce costs by delivering a lower total cost of ownership – without compromising on productivity and quality. Heidelberg also assists all customers who are interested in switching to environmentally friendly print production.”

Processless and chemical-free printing plates for an environmentally friendly and stable production process

When using processless printing plates from the Saphira Eco portfolio, there is no need for a development process, which means plates can be used on the press immediately after imaging. In the case of chemical-free printing plates, the environmentally friendly clean-out solution takes the place of conventional developers and replenishers. Users benefit from savings in the form of reduced space requirements, chemical usage, disposal costs, and power and water consumption. When used with other approved consumables from Heidelberg, the company’s chemical-free or processless printing plates deliver a stable production process and sustained high productivity.

Saphira Eco coatings for virtually all application areas

Thanks to their excellent environmental friendliness, the coatings in the Saphira Eco portfolio are suitable for virtually all standard application areas. The portfolio includes, for example, Teflon-free and low-ammonia or ammonia-free coatings. This means Heidelberg can supply coatings that do not require any hazard labeling. By harnessing the consulting expertise that Heidelberg offers, print shops can find the ideal combination of coating and screen roller to reduce their coating consumption. For example, a specific screen will enable lower coating usage without impacting gloss levels, while combining this screen with a suitable coating plate will also help reduce cleaning intervals.

Environmentally friendly print production with Saphira Eco chemicals

Heidelberg offers a wide range of chemicals for especially environmentally friendly print production. For instance, the Saphira Eco portfolio includes VOC-free wash solutions. Combining the right wash program with the right wash solution helps to shorten the whole washing process while ensuring the results are always good. This means less wash solution is used, which generates less waste and results in lower waste costs.

In addition, Heidelberg offers environmentally friendly dampening solutions that don’t need to be changed in the dampening solution circuit as often and facilitate IPA-free or at least reduced-IPA printing – all without impacting productivity while also reducing paper waste. Heidelberg helps users make the switch to IPA-free print production.

Saphira Eco products assist with certification for sustainable print production

Using environmentally compatible consumables from the Saphira Eco portfolio makes it easier for print shops worldwide to obtain certification for sustainable print production in line with the applicable environmental standards. Depending on the type of certificate, Heidelberg helps its customers choose the best consumables to satisfy the certificate requirements.

Read more
    WEIDEN, Germany, Feb. 22, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • UFlex invests in second Heidelberg Intro printing line to expand Asepto plant in Sanand
  • Print quality of Heidelberg Intro exceeds customer expectations of UFlex
  • High-performance Web fed solution to deal with the growing demand for UFlex’s Asepto, aseptic beverage packaging

UFlex Limited, India's largest multinational flexible packaging and polymer science company and the first Indian manufacturer of aseptic liquid packaging, announces to double its production capacity from 3.5 bn packs per annum to 7 bn packs per annum. To achieve this, the company decided to invest in second printing line from the Heidelberg Web Carton Converting GmbH. This investment is part of its larger growth strategy in the liquid packaging space on the back of its ambition to expand its global footprints. Investing in the Heidelberg Intro Web printing technology is thus the first among many steps toward achieving its production capacity.

UFlex, established in 1985 and after becoming extremely successful in flexible packaging, it was time to diversify with offerings within the packaging business and Aseptic Liquid Packaging emerged as an obvious choice for the scope of innovation in the segment. The decision was taken and the Greenfield plant in Sanand with 85,000 sqm packaging area and a current printing capacity to produce 3.5 billion packs p.a. was commissioned. Now, the company aims at doubling the production capacity with the second printing line in the plant. Asepto plant, within a few years, has become a subject of interest in the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, it was necessary and a definite requirement to increase the existing capacity.

When the factory was completed, the investment was only in the latest technology and state-of-the-art machinery. One of the key-suppliers is Heidelberg Web Carton Converting, which delivered an Intro web-flexo printing press. The high-class machine prints 7 colors at a web-width of 1320 mm with a speed of 500 MPM for all packaging materials of Asepto products. The highest quality and reliability of the machine combined with the best performance parameters are proven facts of Heidelberg Intro. Therefore, Intro was the first choice for the second machine as well! The new custom-built Heidelberg Intro will be installed in 2021 and will double Asepto’s printing capacity.

Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, President & CEO, Aseptic Liquid Packaging, UFlex Ltd. shares “Asepto is on a significant growth path. Heidelberg’s Intro Web-Printing-Press machine is the perfect fit to meet all our, and our customer’s requirements. Not only are the expectations for the machine, but also the seamless after-sales service factors makes

Heidelberg Intro an ideal system to give a push to our growth plans. The partnership shared by the two market leaders over the years has created a win-win situation for both of us. Once the commissioning of the project is complete, we will be looking at global expansion. Asepto Sanand will certainly act as a benchmark”.

About Heidelberg Web Carton Converting GmbH

Based in Weiden, Germany, Heidelberg Web Carton Converting GmbH (HWCC) is the webfed flexo press division of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). Providing integrated Inline Webfed solutions, HWCC complements Heidelberg‘s market leading position in the world of packaging. Utilizing the most powerful Sales- and Service network in the industry and overseeing the biggest installed base in the market, HWCC provides the longest experience and broadest application know-how to enable packaging printers not only to cope with new challenges, but also to exceed customer expectations.

Indian flexible packaging firm UFlex taps Heidelberg Web Carton Converting for Intro printing line to help expand output at its Asepto plant

Posted in: Packaging Technology 02/22/2021 - 06:26
    WEIDEN, Germany, Feb. 22, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • UFlex invests in second Heidelberg Intro printing line to expand Asepto plant in Sanand
  • Print quality of Heidelberg Intro exceeds customer expectations of UFlex
  • High-performance Web fed solution to deal with the growing demand for UFlex’s Asepto, aseptic beverage packaging

UFlex Limited, India's largest multinational flexible packaging and polymer science company and the first Indian manufacturer of aseptic liquid packaging, announces to double its production capacity from 3.5 bn packs per annum to 7 bn packs per annum. To achieve this, the company decided to invest in second printing line from the Heidelberg Web Carton Converting GmbH. This investment is part of its larger growth strategy in the liquid packaging space on the back of its ambition to expand its global footprints. Investing in the Heidelberg Intro Web printing technology is thus the first among many steps toward achieving its production capacity.

UFlex, established in 1985 and after becoming extremely successful in flexible packaging, it was time to diversify with offerings within the packaging business and Aseptic Liquid Packaging emerged as an obvious choice for the scope of innovation in the segment. The decision was taken and the Greenfield plant in Sanand with 85,000 sqm packaging area and a current printing capacity to produce 3.5 billion packs p.a. was commissioned. Now, the company aims at doubling the production capacity with the second printing line in the plant. Asepto plant, within a few years, has become a subject of interest in the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, it was necessary and a definite requirement to increase the existing capacity.

When the factory was completed, the investment was only in the latest technology and state-of-the-art machinery. One of the key-suppliers is Heidelberg Web Carton Converting, which delivered an Intro web-flexo printing press. The high-class machine prints 7 colors at a web-width of 1320 mm with a speed of 500 MPM for all packaging materials of Asepto products. The highest quality and reliability of the machine combined with the best performance parameters are proven facts of Heidelberg Intro. Therefore, Intro was the first choice for the second machine as well! The new custom-built Heidelberg Intro will be installed in 2021 and will double Asepto’s printing capacity.

Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, President & CEO, Aseptic Liquid Packaging, UFlex Ltd. shares “Asepto is on a significant growth path. Heidelberg’s Intro Web-Printing-Press machine is the perfect fit to meet all our, and our customer’s requirements. Not only are the expectations for the machine, but also the seamless after-sales service factors makes

Heidelberg Intro an ideal system to give a push to our growth plans. The partnership shared by the two market leaders over the years has created a win-win situation for both of us. Once the commissioning of the project is complete, we will be looking at global expansion. Asepto Sanand will certainly act as a benchmark”.

About Heidelberg Web Carton Converting GmbH

Based in Weiden, Germany, Heidelberg Web Carton Converting GmbH (HWCC) is the webfed flexo press division of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). Providing integrated Inline Webfed solutions, HWCC complements Heidelberg‘s market leading position in the world of packaging. Utilizing the most powerful Sales- and Service network in the industry and overseeing the biggest installed base in the market, HWCC provides the longest experience and broadest application know-how to enable packaging printers not only to cope with new challenges, but also to exceed customer expectations.

Read more
    WIESLOCH, Germany , Feb. 18, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • Papierwerk Landshut Mittler has been producing high-quality folding cartons for decades
  • New 2020 generation Speedmaster XL 75 from Heidelberg and new MK Diana Smart 115 ensure top quality with increased productivity
  • Reduced washup time thanks to Wash Assistant with artificial intelligence

Papierwerk Landshut Mittler (plm), whose high-quality packagings are found the world over, can be summed up in three words: quality, reliability, and passion. Targeting further growth, the company was the first folding carton printer last year to invest in a Speedmaster XL 75-7+L from the new 2020 generation. A new Diana Smart 115 folder gluer from the partner MK Masterwork completed the investment in the latest packaging solutions from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). Using state-of-the-art and innovative technologies makes it possible to combine top quality and high productivity.

“To enable us to produce the best folding cartons for our customers, we’re constantly on the lookout for the most innovative equipment,” explains Günther Berninghaus, the third generation of the family to manage plm. “Our slogan “Beyond the box” says so too, and we’re proud that we’re still independent.” The trained letterpress printer and printing engineer has worked in the company for 40 years, and says he has “always invested in the right machines.” plm has been in existence since 1914, with medium-sized pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland accounting for 80 percent of its production. The remaining 20 percent is split between folding cartons for cosmetics and general consumer goods. plm also works with an internationally renowned pharmaceutical manufacturer to develop and produce complex color guides to guarantee globally harmonized production.

Since 1996, the company has been based in Wörth an der Isar – where it has enough space for both a structured production process and further growth. “We have always focused on one site, where we maintain a high level of productivity. What’s more, we invest heavily in our own training and are proud of our rate of ten percent,” says Günther Berninghaus in explaining his recipe for success. And there is one other special thing about plm: almost half of the 134 employees are women.

Partnership with Heidelberg as a win-win situation

The partnership between Heidelberg and plm goes back decades, and has benefited both sides. For example, plm was one of the first concept customers in 1992. As a field test customer, plm has been involved in several major projects with Heidelberg – whether the expansion of the substrate range and the first coating unit in the Speedmaster SM 52 or the Prinect Inpress Control inline color and quality measurement system on the Speedmaster CD 74. Other field tests were conducted on the Prinect Press Center XL 3 and its LED daylight lamp, which Günther Berninghaus says makes it easier to approve sheets by simply switching from D50 (5000K daylight) to D65 (6500K daylight). plm has focused on the medium-size format 50 x 70 for many years. In the press room you will now find a Speedmaster XL 75-6+L from 2008 as well as a Speedmaster XL 75-5+L that was added three years ago and most recently the Speedmaster XL 75-7+L from the 2020 generation one year ago. All three presses run at a speed of 18,000 sheets per hour and have a sheet format of 605 x 750 mm (23.82 x 29.53 in.), which is perfect for packaging companies.

Prior to its most recent investment, plm had scoured the printing press market and was also considering a change to the next bigger format. It soon turned out, however, that another Speedmaster XL 75 was the best solution. What clinched it were the innovative solutions in the new 2020 generation – the clear operating concept with the new Heidelberg User Experience (UX), the good accessibility, and the high print quality thanks to the perfectly optimized inking unit for this press series. The large diameters of the cylinders ensure that the cardboard is transported smoothly through the press.

“We consider ourselves in a good position with the three almost identical presses from Heidelberg. The printers can work on all the presses, we operate a standardized printing process, and can offer our customers fast production with zero defects,” says Günther Berninghaus in summary. “The medium-size format is the perfect fit for us as well at the moment. This is confirmed by our profitability calculations. We have faster setup times, greater color stability, and uniformity of colors over the entire sheet, which helps us with the many gang runs we have.”

All of the presses have a service agreement in place and the Heidelberg technicians are held in high regard at plm. The washing fluids and aids are from the Saphira range.

Production operates on a three-shift schedule on all but the oldest Speedmaster XL 75, in some cases also at weekends. An active sales force and the additional demand from the pharmaceutical industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in growth of twelve percent last year. Turnover in 2020 was 20 million euros. Further growth came from the increasing substitution of plastic packagings and from monoblock cartons.

Modern workstation and increased productivity

Print shop manager Günter Zöttl keeps an eye on the productivity gains offered by the three presses. The new Speedmaster XL 75 is 30 percent more efficient than the 2008 press. The new press is also five percent more efficient that the 2018 one. All in all, what sets the new 2020 generation press apart is its reliability, stability, quality, and good accessibility. “When I ask my printers what their favorite press to work on is, it’s always the new Speedmaster,” confirms Günter Zöttl. “They're big fans of the new operator guidance system, and the new 24-inch touchscreen makes their work more direct and straightforward.” The company is also taking advantage of the navigated printing: Intellistart 3 compares two jobs and suggests the best production approach to the printer. Intelliline, the system of optical guidance by means of LED strips on the printing units, provides outstanding navigation and support for the assistance system.

Spot colors account for 80 percent of the inks used at plm and the colorfulness of the jobs is on the increase, which means frequent colors changes. This is now much easier with the new Wash Assistant and its artificial intelligence. The Wash Assistant selects the right washup program for the inking unit and dampening system, blanket, and impression cylinder based on corresponding job and press parameters. When washing ink rollers, it can, for example, identify when switching from a dark color to a light one, and initiates the optimal washup program. If necessary it can even automatically initiate deep cleaning. Apart from saving time, this also saves washing fluid and washup cloths. Any inking units not needed are continuously supplied with roller protection liquid by the new “Auto Protect” function. Once ink is added again, the roller protection is removed fully automatically in the Intellistart 3 workflow without any input from the operator.

The average run length is just under 8,000 sheets. The main material processed is primary fiber cardboard with grammages from 220 to 500 g/m².

Production also runs on a three-shift schedule in postpress, with four die cutters and four folder gluers from the Diana series. The latest – a Diana Smart 115 – is a replacement investment and is expanding the product portfolio by adding new gluing options for the folding cartons. The new Diana also made it possible to further increase the quality and productivity.

Team spirit and good collaboration

Looking forward, plm wants to improve and expand the integration between the data provided by the Heidelberg presses and the packaging workflow. These are then also projects for the next generation. Günther Berninghaus’ son Daniel has a degree in business administration and has been working in the company as Operational Excellence Manager for three years. “We’re a company with a strong team spirit, open exchange, and great collaboration – fast, flexible, and agile,” he sums up. These attributes are fundamental in achieving the objectives set – to continue as an independent medium-sized company with a profitable business that offers the customers the best-possible quality.

Papierwerk Landshut Mittler adds a new Heidelberg 2020 generation Speedmaster XL 75 to its operations

Posted in: Packaging Technology 02/22/2021 - 06:05
    WIESLOCH, Germany , Feb. 18, 2021 (Press Release) -
  • Papierwerk Landshut Mittler has been producing high-quality folding cartons for decades
  • New 2020 generation Speedmaster XL 75 from Heidelberg and new MK Diana Smart 115 ensure top quality with increased productivity
  • Reduced washup time thanks to Wash Assistant with artificial intelligence

Papierwerk Landshut Mittler (plm), whose high-quality packagings are found the world over, can be summed up in three words: quality, reliability, and passion. Targeting further growth, the company was the first folding carton printer last year to invest in a Speedmaster XL 75-7+L from the new 2020 generation. A new Diana Smart 115 folder gluer from the partner MK Masterwork completed the investment in the latest packaging solutions from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). Using state-of-the-art and innovative technologies makes it possible to combine top quality and high productivity.

“To enable us to produce the best folding cartons for our customers, we’re constantly on the lookout for the most innovative equipment,” explains Günther Berninghaus, the third generation of the family to manage plm. “Our slogan “Beyond the box” says so too, and we’re proud that we’re still independent.” The trained letterpress printer and printing engineer has worked in the company for 40 years, and says he has “always invested in the right machines.” plm has been in existence since 1914, with medium-sized pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland accounting for 80 percent of its production. The remaining 20 percent is split between folding cartons for cosmetics and general consumer goods. plm also works with an internationally renowned pharmaceutical manufacturer to develop and produce complex color guides to guarantee globally harmonized production.

Since 1996, the company has been based in Wörth an der Isar – where it has enough space for both a structured production process and further growth. “We have always focused on one site, where we maintain a high level of productivity. What’s more, we invest heavily in our own training and are proud of our rate of ten percent,” says Günther Berninghaus in explaining his recipe for success. And there is one other special thing about plm: almost half of the 134 employees are women.

Partnership with Heidelberg as a win-win situation

The partnership between Heidelberg and plm goes back decades, and has benefited both sides. For example, plm was one of the first concept customers in 1992. As a field test customer, plm has been involved in several major projects with Heidelberg – whether the expansion of the substrate range and the first coating unit in the Speedmaster SM 52 or the Prinect Inpress Control inline color and quality measurement system on the Speedmaster CD 74. Other field tests were conducted on the Prinect Press Center XL 3 and its LED daylight lamp, which Günther Berninghaus says makes it easier to approve sheets by simply switching from D50 (5000K daylight) to D65 (6500K daylight). plm has focused on the medium-size format 50 x 70 for many years. In the press room you will now find a Speedmaster XL 75-6+L from 2008 as well as a Speedmaster XL 75-5+L that was added three years ago and most recently the Speedmaster XL 75-7+L from the 2020 generation one year ago. All three presses run at a speed of 18,000 sheets per hour and have a sheet format of 605 x 750 mm (23.82 x 29.53 in.), which is perfect for packaging companies.

Prior to its most recent investment, plm had scoured the printing press market and was also considering a change to the next bigger format. It soon turned out, however, that another Speedmaster XL 75 was the best solution. What clinched it were the innovative solutions in the new 2020 generation – the clear operating concept with the new Heidelberg User Experience (UX), the good accessibility, and the high print quality thanks to the perfectly optimized inking unit for this press series. The large diameters of the cylinders ensure that the cardboard is transported smoothly through the press.

“We consider ourselves in a good position with the three almost identical presses from Heidelberg. The printers can work on all the presses, we operate a standardized printing process, and can offer our customers fast production with zero defects,” says Günther Berninghaus in summary. “The medium-size format is the perfect fit for us as well at the moment. This is confirmed by our profitability calculations. We have faster setup times, greater color stability, and uniformity of colors over the entire sheet, which helps us with the many gang runs we have.”

All of the presses have a service agreement in place and the Heidelberg technicians are held in high regard at plm. The washing fluids and aids are from the Saphira range.

Production operates on a three-shift schedule on all but the oldest Speedmaster XL 75, in some cases also at weekends. An active sales force and the additional demand from the pharmaceutical industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in growth of twelve percent last year. Turnover in 2020 was 20 million euros. Further growth came from the increasing substitution of plastic packagings and from monoblock cartons.

Modern workstation and increased productivity

Print shop manager Günter Zöttl keeps an eye on the productivity gains offered by the three presses. The new Speedmaster XL 75 is 30 percent more efficient than the 2008 press. The new press is also five percent more efficient that the 2018 one. All in all, what sets the new 2020 generation press apart is its reliability, stability, quality, and good accessibility. “When I ask my printers what their favorite press to work on is, it’s always the new Speedmaster,” confirms Günter Zöttl. “They're big fans of the new operator guidance system, and the new 24-inch touchscreen makes their work more direct and straightforward.” The company is also taking advantage of the navigated printing: Intellistart 3 compares two jobs and suggests the best production approach to the printer. Intelliline, the system of optical guidance by means of LED strips on the printing units, provides outstanding navigation and support for the assistance system.

Spot colors account for 80 percent of the inks used at plm and the colorfulness of the jobs is on the increase, which means frequent colors changes. This is now much easier with the new Wash Assistant and its artificial intelligence. The Wash Assistant selects the right washup program for the inking unit and dampening system, blanket, and impression cylinder based on corresponding job and press parameters. When washing ink rollers, it can, for example, identify when switching from a dark color to a light one, and initiates the optimal washup program. If necessary it can even automatically initiate deep cleaning. Apart from saving time, this also saves washing fluid and washup cloths. Any inking units not needed are continuously supplied with roller protection liquid by the new “Auto Protect” function. Once ink is added again, the roller protection is removed fully automatically in the Intellistart 3 workflow without any input from the operator.

The average run length is just under 8,000 sheets. The main material processed is primary fiber cardboard with grammages from 220 to 500 g/m².

Production also runs on a three-shift schedule in postpress, with four die cutters and four folder gluers from the Diana series. The latest – a Diana Smart 115 – is a replacement investment and is expanding the product portfolio by adding new gluing options for the folding cartons. The new Diana also made it possible to further increase the quality and productivity.

Team spirit and good collaboration

Looking forward, plm wants to improve and expand the integration between the data provided by the Heidelberg presses and the packaging workflow. These are then also projects for the next generation. Günther Berninghaus’ son Daniel has a degree in business administration and has been working in the company as Operational Excellence Manager for three years. “We’re a company with a strong team spirit, open exchange, and great collaboration – fast, flexible, and agile,” he sums up. These attributes are fundamental in achieving the objectives set – to continue as an independent medium-sized company with a profitable business that offers the customers the best-possible quality.

Read more
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , Dec. 11, 2020 (Press Release) -
  • Strengthening liquidity for future investments / in Covid-19 times
  • Heidelberg will continue to offer printing chemicals as part of its consumables strategy

As part of its planned focus on core activities and portfolio adjustments, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has sold its Belgian production site for printing chemicals to DC Druck Chemie GmbH (Druck Chemie), a subsidiary of Langley Hold-ings PLC, UK. Langley Holdings is an international engineering group that produces capital goods to a wide range of industries worldwide, including the printing industry. The sale includes the companies BluePrint Products NV and Hi-Tech Chemicals BV, located in Kruibeke, Belgium. The site develops and manufactures high-quality printing chemicals in flexographic and offset printing, primarily for the packaging and commercial markets, which will continue to be offered by Heidelberg as part of its overall consumables strategy. With the sale, the site and a total of around 40 employees will be transferred to Druck Chemie. Heidelberg generates a purchase price of approx. 20.5 million Euro. The sale is effective today.

"With the withdrawal from the production of printing chemicals, we are making good progress with our realignment and concentration on our core activities," said Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg. "We will use the funds freed up by this to safeguard our liquidity in times of the Covid-19 pandemic and to push ahead with strategic investments in the future on the path of our digital transformation.”

“I am delighted to welcome BluePrint Products and Hi-Tech Chemicals to the Druck Chemie family. This acquisition is an excellent fit and will further strengthen our offering to the print industry”, said William Langley, board director, Langley Holdings PLC.

Heidelberg sells its Belgian production site for printing chemicals to DC Druck Chemie

Posted in: Chemicals 12/14/2020 - 11:37
    HEIDELBERG, Germany , Dec. 11, 2020 (Press Release) -
  • Strengthening liquidity for future investments / in Covid-19 times
  • Heidelberg will continue to offer printing chemicals as part of its consumables strategy

As part of its planned focus on core activities and portfolio adjustments, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has sold its Belgian production site for printing chemicals to DC Druck Chemie GmbH (Druck Chemie), a subsidiary of Langley Hold-ings PLC, UK. Langley Holdings is an international engineering group that produces capital goods to a wide range of industries worldwide, including the printing industry. The sale includes the companies BluePrint Products NV and Hi-Tech Chemicals BV, located in Kruibeke, Belgium. The site develops and manufactures high-quality printing chemicals in flexographic and offset printing, primarily for the packaging and commercial markets, which will continue to be offered by Heidelberg as part of its overall consumables strategy. With the sale, the site and a total of around 40 employees will be transferred to Druck Chemie. Heidelberg generates a purchase price of approx. 20.5 million Euro. The sale is effective today.

"With the withdrawal from the production of printing chemicals, we are making good progress with our realignment and concentration on our core activities," said Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg. "We will use the funds freed up by this to safeguard our liquidity in times of the Covid-19 pandemic and to push ahead with strategic investments in the future on the path of our digital transformation.”

“I am delighted to welcome BluePrint Products and Hi-Tech Chemicals to the Druck Chemie family. This acquisition is an excellent fit and will further strengthen our offering to the print industry”, said William Langley, board director, Langley Holdings PLC.

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KENNESAW, GA, Nov. 19, 2020 (Press Release) -In 2014, James Litho, a small commercial printing company in Ontario, California, became one of the earliest adopters of Heidelberg’s digital print platforms when it decided to invest in a Linoprint C901. After six successful years and running upwards of 300,000-400,000 digital sheets per month, James Litho has recently installed its third digital press from Heidelberg, a Versafire EP, replacing its older C901 and complementing its current Versafire CP.

Integration: The Key to Success

James Litho services a diverse portfolio of customers in the Southern California market -- from retail/supermarkets, to local manufacturers, municipalities, and universities. While having a broad customer base has helped James Litho’s business stay steady during the COVID-19 downturn, it also means having a dynamic range of customer demands. The Versafire EP, capable of printing materials from 35 lb. text to 24 pt. board and duplexing on sheets up to 13” x 27.5”, provides the flexibility James Litho needs to address each of its customers’ individual needs. According to President Jeff James, “We have not come across any job that the Versafire is not able to run.”

While the diverse substrate range and high speeds of up to 135 letter pages per minute were important in James’s decision to purchase a Versafire EP, James cites two main factors for why he continues to invest in Heidelberg digital presses: cost effective operation and workflow integration with the company’s current Speedmaster SM 74 offset press.

James Litho, a long time Prinect user, recently upgraded its workflow to the subscription based Prinect Production Manager, which gives the company access to the full Prinect suite of products while also ensuring the software is always up-to-date with the latest releases. Integrated fully with Prinect workflow, both the Versafire EP and Versafire CP are controlled via the Prinect Digital Front End (DFE). Utilizing Heidelberg’s color management and renderers (both tried and tested in offset printing), the Prinect DFE enables print production to be automated and standardized for excellent efficiency.

“From imposition to color management, it’s great having the Prinect integration between our offset and digital platforms. It’s so efficient, in fact, that we don’t have any dedicated digital press operators. Because of the common workflow platform, our prepress technicians prepare our digital jobs from their prepress workstations and send the jobs to print. With our high capacity delivery, they just press a button and let the Versafires run,” said James.

Automating for the Future

A loyal Heidelberg customer – James Litho runs Stahlfolders and POLAR cutters in addition to the Versafires, Speedmaster, and Prinect workflow and also recently signed for Prinect Business Manager MIS. While James Litho has looked to Heidelberg as a partner for the past 20+ years, it’s Heidelberg’s plans for the future that keeps James Litho continuing to invest in Heidelberg solutions.

“I think it’s an industry-wide issue that we are going to lose many technically skilled operators in printing in the very near future. Heidelberg has been thinking about this for years and is really the only company that’s developed all of their products with user-friendliness and automation in mind. From press, to postpress, to prepress – everything from estimating to job tickets – it’s just a complete system,” said James.

As James Litho looks to expand its business into 40” offset in the near future, its goal is to have complete automation throughout every part of its shop. “We know that with Heidelberg’s technology, having automated systems is what’s going to keep us successful and viable moving forward,” said James.

About James Litho

Jeff James started James Litho in 1997 after decades of experience with his family’s print shop. Offering lithography, digital wide format, short run digital, trade show graphics, fulfillment & mailing, and layout & production services, James Litho’s 30,000 sq. ft. facility in Southern California houses about 25 hand-picked associates who have an average of 15 years of experience each. Quality, integrity and personal attention are the trademarks of the company – priding itself on being 100% reliable, 100% of the time. During challenging business times, James Litho is quick in adjusting toward new objectives, offering new solutions and relevant products, and speeding up turn-around time when the urgency is high.

Heidelberg-supplied Versafire EP increases productivity and efficiency at James Litho's facility in Ontario, CA

Posted in: Mills 11/20/2020 - 09:08

KENNESAW, GA, Nov. 19, 2020 (Press Release) -In 2014, James Litho, a small commercial printing company in Ontario, California, became one of the earliest adopters of Heidelberg’s digital print platforms when it decided to invest in a Linoprint C901. After six successful years and running upwards of 300,000-400,000 digital sheets per month, James Litho has recently installed its third digital press from Heidelberg, a Versafire EP, replacing its older C901 and complementing its current Versafire CP.

Integration: The Key to Success

James Litho services a diverse portfolio of customers in the Southern California market -- from retail/supermarkets, to local manufacturers, municipalities, and universities. While having a broad customer base has helped James Litho’s business stay steady during the COVID-19 downturn, it also means having a dynamic range of customer demands. The Versafire EP, capable of printing materials from 35 lb. text to 24 pt. board and duplexing on sheets up to 13” x 27.5”, provides the flexibility James Litho needs to address each of its customers’ individual needs. According to President Jeff James, “We have not come across any job that the Versafire is not able to run.”

While the diverse substrate range and high speeds of up to 135 letter pages per minute were important in James’s decision to purchase a Versafire EP, James cites two main factors for why he continues to invest in Heidelberg digital presses: cost effective operation and workflow integration with the company’s current Speedmaster SM 74 offset press.

James Litho, a long time Prinect user, recently upgraded its workflow to the subscription based Prinect Production Manager, which gives the company access to the full Prinect suite of products while also ensuring the software is always up-to-date with the latest releases. Integrated fully with Prinect workflow, both the Versafire EP and Versafire CP are controlled via the Prinect Digital Front End (DFE). Utilizing Heidelberg’s color management and renderers (both tried and tested in offset printing), the Prinect DFE enables print production to be automated and standardized for excellent efficiency.

“From imposition to color management, it’s great having the Prinect integration between our offset and digital platforms. It’s so efficient, in fact, that we don’t have any dedicated digital press operators. Because of the common workflow platform, our prepress technicians prepare our digital jobs from their prepress workstations and send the jobs to print. With our high capacity delivery, they just press a button and let the Versafires run,” said James.

Automating for the Future

A loyal Heidelberg customer – James Litho runs Stahlfolders and POLAR cutters in addition to the Versafires, Speedmaster, and Prinect workflow and also recently signed for Prinect Business Manager MIS. While James Litho has looked to Heidelberg as a partner for the past 20+ years, it’s Heidelberg’s plans for the future that keeps James Litho continuing to invest in Heidelberg solutions.

“I think it’s an industry-wide issue that we are going to lose many technically skilled operators in printing in the very near future. Heidelberg has been thinking about this for years and is really the only company that’s developed all of their products with user-friendliness and automation in mind. From press, to postpress, to prepress – everything from estimating to job tickets – it’s just a complete system,” said James.

As James Litho looks to expand its business into 40” offset in the near future, its goal is to have complete automation throughout every part of its shop. “We know that with Heidelberg’s technology, having automated systems is what’s going to keep us successful and viable moving forward,” said James.

About James Litho

Jeff James started James Litho in 1997 after decades of experience with his family’s print shop. Offering lithography, digital wide format, short run digital, trade show graphics, fulfillment & mailing, and layout & production services, James Litho’s 30,000 sq. ft. facility in Southern California houses about 25 hand-picked associates who have an average of 15 years of experience each. Quality, integrity and personal attention are the trademarks of the company – priding itself on being 100% reliable, 100% of the time. During challenging business times, James Litho is quick in adjusting toward new objectives, offering new solutions and relevant products, and speeding up turn-around time when the urgency is high.

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